Chapter Text
Hank remained propped on one arm, gazing at Richard as he slept. To say he was smug was an understatement. After their tryst in the loft, Richard had removed the bridle with shaking hands and all but turned to mush in his arms. Taking the lead had been more than a little stressful, and he was still embarrassed about it. Hank had said little once his head was free, because kissing Richard senseless seemed like a far better use of his time. Richard seemed to agree as he looped his arms about his neck and shuffled closer.
They’d returned to Richard’s house since it was closer, with Hank’s shirt tied around Richard’s waist to hide his ripped and stained riding pants. They’d heard Allen in the stables as they passed, but he didn’t notice as they headed up to the house. Once inside, Hank had reasserted himself. He’d lifted Richard off his feet and carried him up to the bedroom, where he’d taken his sweet time peeling him out of his wrecked riding gear. Richard hadn’t complained. Writhing on his back, he’d squirmed and thrown his legs wide to receive what he was owed.
Once they were fully sated, they’d showered and changed the sheets before settling down for a nap. It was too early to go to bed yet; in fact, Hank would soon return home to see to Connor and Sumo. Not to mention his evening rounds, which had been somewhat delayed by this enticing little interlude. Almost as if he’d sensed his thoughts, Richard stirred beside him and looked up with bleary eyes. Hank smiled warmly and laced a large hand in his fluffed hair. Richard stretched with a low whine, which slowly dragged the covers below his pecs, revealing pale flesh and dark curls.
“What time is it?” he groaned with a relieved sigh. The light was slowly dimming outside.
“Getting on for five-thirty.” Richard winced a little at that. He’d kept Hank far longer than usual, and he had to check on Allen and feed the chickens, too. It was a good thing he hadn’t planned any training for that afternoon, and Allen hadn’t called. Considering their conversation that morning, Allen probably had some idea of where he’d got to that afternoon. The very thought made his cheeks burn. “So…are you going to tell me what that was all about?” Hank asked with some smugness, looking down at Richard with hooded eyes.
“What do you mean?” Richard was cagey, dark eyes darting back and forth as he avoided Hank’s gaze. Laying a hand on Richard’s covered stomach, Hank began stroking soothing circles on the cool sheets.
“Not that I’m complaining, but being the dominant party isn’t really your thing.” Richard scoffed with indignation at the jibe. Who said he wasn’t the dominant party? He could be dominant if he wanted to be, as he’d proven earlier! Hank seemed to garner something of his thoughts as he sat up and raised his hands. “Hey, I’m not saying that’s a bad thing! It’s just you usually let me take the lead is all, so I was surprised.” Richard squinted as if weighing up how angry he should be about that. It wasn’t like it was a lie. Hank had taken the lead in every scenario prior to that afternoon.
“Do you have a problem with it?” There was more than a little insecurity in Richard’s voice as he pushed himself up and leaned against the headboard. Hank shuffled back to join him, sitting sideways and reaching out to take his hand. His fingers were a little cold, prompting Hank to squeeze and rub them.
“No! Not at all! It was sexy, you know? I mean, I could do without the bridle, but it was…hot.” Richard felt his cheeks burn at the compliment. That was a pretty good review, considering it was the first time he’d tried taking the lead. It wasn’t the best attempt, but it wasn’t too bad for a first time. He wasn’t sure he had the nerve to try it a second time, but Allen was right. He felt more confident and sure of himself now he’d done it. “What made you think of it though?” Richard squirmed a little and licked his lips.
“I thought you might, you know, have a little more confidence in me if I took charge.” Hank frowned, partly surprised and partly put out. “Since the accident, you’ve been a little…” Richard wasn’t sure how to finish that sentence. Clingy might fit, but it felt too negative. It wasn’t that he was clingy, but he did hover a lot more than he used to. Every time he rode the track, he could feel Hank’s eyes following him and sense his worry. He might use overbearing, but Hank didn’t nag him or try to dissuade him from riding, so that wasn’t entirely right either. Domineering would be completely inaccurate. Besides the incidents during his recovery, Hank hadn’t forbidden him from riding.
“I’ll admit, I’ve been more nervous, but it’s not because I don’t have confidence in you.” Richard’s lips pursed doubtfully. “It’s not! It’s just…you can’t always control when or how an accident might happen.” Accidents were inevitable in any job, and there were plenty of things that might happen to Hank. He might be rammed by a sheep, kicked by a cow, nipped by a pig, pecked by a chicken, or mauled by a wolf, and that was just the animals. There were plenty of mishaps he could have with the tools and machinery stationed around the farm, but Richard never worried about that because he knew Hank was good at his job. Granted, he might feel differently if Hank had an accident while they were together, but so far he hadn’t.
“There’s unlikely to be any accidents if you believe I’m good at my job!” Hank wasn’t sure what to say about that. He’d watched Richard on the track long enough to know he was an amazing rider with a proven track record of being good at his job. Still, an accident had happened just a few months ago. An accident that could have been a lot worse.
“I know you’re good at your job! It’s just…These animals are almost three times your size, so I get a little nervous. You know accidents happen.” Of course he knew that. He had the aching shoulder to prove it. He’d fallen many times before, been kicked and dragged, and suffered multiple injuries. Scrapes on his skin, bruises, swollen lumps, fractures, and broken bones. He was sure Hank had suffered his fair share of injuries as well. Accidents happened.
“The horses might be bigger, but I’m the one in control.” Hank chuckled fondly as he stroked the back of Richard’s hand, enjoying the way his cheeks darkened.
“And is that what our little rendezvous was about earlier? Control?” Richard nodded meekly, remaining where he was as Hank huffed and leaned closer to trail kisses along his bare shoulder. “You didn’t have to prove that to me…I’ve seen how you handle your horses. I never doubted you for a second.” It was nice to be validated. Maybe Allen was right, and this whole thing had really been about his own lack of confidence. It felt pretty good, having Hank on his knees and pulling him about, though he didn’t doubt for a second that Hank had wanted it. Much like a horse, there was no way Richard could get him to do something if he didn’t want to.
“Thank you,” Richard murmured as he turned his head to accept a light peck on his lips. His dark eyes fluttered as Hank lingered, and a worn hand stroked his cheek. As they parted, Richard knew it was time to get up. Hank had his rounds to finish, and he needed to bring in the horses and get them settled for the evening if Allen hadn’t started already. He wasn’t even sure if Allen was still there, though he hadn’t come to say goodbye. Thank God!
They dressed once more, Hank in his overalls and Richard in some old jeans and a light sweater, and headed out. Leaving through the kitchen, Richard watched Hank cross the yard and hurried around to the stables, where he found Allen grooming Treacle. The dark mare scraped the ground with her front hoof and dipped her head in approval as Allen brushed her left flank and lingered around her hip. Richard smiled warmly and moved to grip her bridle and pat her neck, steadying her as Allen moved on to brush her glossy hide. Allen smirked as he bent over and started on her leg.
“So, how did it go?” Richard balked at the knowing tone. He really was far too smug and equally nosy. “Really? That good?” Richard pursed his lips and bit his tongue, all but glaring at Allen as he continued brushing. It seemed his tense body language and stubborn silence told Allen all he needed to know. He chuckled as he brushed, clicking his tongue and lifting Treacle’s hoof to check beneath. Her shoes were still good and firm, and the underside was fairly clean. “I bet it felt pretty good, taking charge for a change.” Richard still refused to rise to the bait, but Allen seemed to know all he needed to.
“It was alright…” Richard grumbled under his breath, fingering through Treacle’s mane. It was an alright experience. One he might repeat some day, but probably not too soon. He honestly wasn’t sure how much he enjoyed the roleplay element. He enjoyed riding horses, but he was well aware that Hank wasn’t a horse. The bridle had been more about payback than anything else. Richard had already been strapped up twice in the loft, so it was about time Hank was subjected to something. Still, having the ability to pull him around like that was pretty appealing, and having him willingly submit was satisfying. He hesitated to say it made him feel like a man, but it made him feel something.
In a physical fight, there was obviously no way he’d win against someone like Hank. Large, built, powerful. Looking at them, anyone would put their money on Hank’s larger physique. However, despite that, Richard was the one in control. Hank had submitted to him. He’d willingly followed the pull of the reins, bending to his every whim until Richard had finally taken his rightful place as a jockey. Richard buried his face in Treacle’s neck as he remembered the way Hank’s hands had rested on his hips and thighs, guiding him in circles as he rode his cock.
“I’m glad…You know, you’ve really come out of your shell since you started seeing Hank,” Allen said with more than a little pride. Richard had always been a confident rider, but when it came to dealing with people, he was less than sure of himself. Allen was the one who usually made phone calls, deals, and arrangements. He also took the lead in social situations. It was a wonder Richard had managed romantic liaisons during his career. Unfortunately, he wasn’t a very good judge of character, so he’d been used for money more than once. “It’s about time things started going your way.” Richard hummed softly. He’d never given it much thought, but it probably was strange to most that his only real friend was Allen.
“I’m not completely hopeless…” They both knew that was a lie. Given the choice, he’d stay in his stables with his horses and see no one else. Even going into town to shop was a stressful chore. Allen smiled knowingly and didn’t say another word about it. Once Treacle was safely back in her stall, they headed out to bring in more. The sun had already set, though the sky had plenty of light left yet as they entered the field. Richard whistled and clicked his tongue, grabbing the attention of Bessie and Bramble. Bramble was especially pleased as he noticed Allen waiting and cantered right over to nudge and nose his chest. Allen laughed and patted his neck, which now reached his chest. Though he had a lot of growing to do, Bramble was no longer the frail little foal he was a few months ago.
It didn’t take long to get the rest of the horses in, and Allen was pulling out of the stables barely an hour later. It was getting a little dark by then, and Richard decided it was past time for him to stop at the coop. Nines started hopping at the mesh the minute he saw him, squawking indignantly at being forgotten for so long. Their evening feed was late! Richard hurried and fetched the bucket, accepting Nines’ light pecks on his boots as he entered. He wasn’t really in trouble. The beak stayed on his thick boots and jeans without touching flesh.
“I know-I know! I’m sorry, alright?” Nines fluffed his feathers and flapped his wings. It seemed all was forgiven as Richard scattered about some feed and refilled the trough. Once he’d topped up their water, he set about apologising properly and lifted Nines against his chest. As had become usual, Nines cooed and settled in the crook of Richard’s arm to accept what pets and scratches were offered. His feet rested gently on his sleeve, barely gripping the material as his head drooped. Looking down, Richard found his eyes had shut. He smiled softly, stroking and bouncing him as he walked around the coop.
The hens were unconcerned as usual. They were quite happy pecking the earth and chasing each other around the pen. There were no chicks left now. All of them were grown and sold, though some hens were still resting in the coop laying eggs that Richard would collect in the morning. There were already multiple boxes packed away in his kitchen waiting to be taken to the pub. Rose would take some, and multiple others had also shown interest. The chickens were turning out to be a nice little side business, despite his earlier concerns and misgivings. I wouldn’t have met Hank properly without them…How different his life would have been then.
“I guess I owe you, huh?” he murmured softly as he looked down at Nines, whose eyes fluttered open at his gentle words. Nines hooted softly as Richard chuckled. “That almost sounded like an agreement.”
“What sounded like an agreement?” Richard all but jumped out of his skin as he looked over his shoulder to find Hank climbing over the fence. He couldn’t have been there long. Connor hadn’t even barked this time, but stood panting happily with his paws on the fence. Richard shook it off and let Nines down, barely sparing him a glance as he skittered off to mingle with his hens. Hank opened the coop gate and held it for Richard as he stepped out.
“Nothing, I was just talking to Nines.” Hank looped an arm around his shoulder and chuckled as if it were the most natural thing in the world. To Hank, it was. There wasn’t a day that went by when he didn’t talk to Connor and Sumo, and all his other animals. Sometimes, he swore they talked back, though few were more vocal than Gavin.
“Of course you were. Hey! Where are you going?” Hank paused as Richard turned to head to his house, the feed bucket still dangling in one hand. Richard frowned when the arm around his shoulders tightened as Hank turned towards the fence that led back to his house.
“Home…Where are you going?” He needn’t have asked. Hank’s answer was the same. Home. They stopped for a few moments in which Richard put the empty feed bucket on the ground. “Are you coming over later?” Richard asked as they hesitated outside the coop. They hadn’t had this conversation for a while. For the past week, they’d been staying at Hank’s place. Resting his hands on his hips, Hank raised an eyebrow, and even Connor tilted his head.
“You’re not staying at mine?” Richard blinked. It hadn’t really occurred to him. Since they were in his yard, he’d just thought his house was more practical. There was an air of awkwardness as they eyed each other for a sign.
“Well, um…We have stayed at yours for the past week.” Hank wasn’t sure why that was an issue. They’d taken a nap at Richard’s house earlier in the day and they ate lunch there, so it wasn’t like the house had sat empty. All the same, Richard’s belongings were at his house, so it made sense he might feel like staying there sometimes. Hank also knew he still wasn’t completely won over by Sumo and Connor. He liked them well enough, perhaps Sumo a little more, but he wasn’t as fond of them as Hank was.
“So why ruin a good thing?” Hank teased as if the matter was settled. Before Richard could muster a response, Hank had stooped to grip his knees and rested his stomach on his shoulder. “Up we go.” Richard’s feet left the ground, and he found himself being carried towards the fence like a sack of potatoes. Though he kicked as they approached, he stopped squirming as Hank began to climb. He didn’t want to fall headfirst into Hank’s yard.
“Hey! I put me down! I don’t consent to this! Oi!” Hank chuckled as he reached the other side and hefted Richard a little more securely. Connor barked happily and zipped around them as Hank strode across his yard.
“Yeah, you do.” Richard spluttered an objection, looking over his shoulder as best he could. He couldn’t see Hank’s face, but he could well imagine his smug expression. Patting his ass, Hank continued walking up to his porch, where Sumo was waiting by the open door, wagging his fluffy tail. “Now, come on. You can start on the vegetables while I get these two fed,” Hank said as he put Richard on his feet and spanked him. Richard glared over his shoulders with pink cheeks, but followed the guiding hand into the kitchen, where he was left with a knife and peeler as Hank corralled the dogs outside.